Story
We met nearly 5 years ago at the Apple store. At the time, we were both a part of Teach for America; I was a freshly minted 8th grade science teacher, John was a wily veteran with all of one year under his belt. We arrived at the Apple store to pick up our TFA x Apple-gifted iPads on that fateful day and happened to walk out about the same time. Despite walking out with a group of other young teachers, everyone seemed to disperse, leaving the two of us as the only ones still committed to getting lunch. So we walked along Michigan Ave, ate at Corner Bakery, and headed to our respective homes in the South Loop. It all started there. Low tech romance in a high tech place.
We shared the same passions and heart for the city and its residents. One of my most vivid memories is early on, when John invited me to his school Halloween party. It was the first time I'd seen him in his element: successfully pulling off a grand plan (the Halloween party), completely living in the moment with his guests (being ridiculous and dancing goofily with his students), and wholly investing in the community he had grown to love. That was the first time I glimpsed that he was, through and through, the man I was beginning to know.
- Janice